WALVIS BAY – Walvis Bay Rural constituency councillor Florian Donatus has dismissed claims that his suspension from party duties was linked to a foreword in the five-year strategic plan of the Erongo Regional Council, launched on Thursday in Walvis Bay.

The Independent Patriots for Change (IPC) on Friday suspended Donatus for alleged maladministration and corrupt conduct, barring him from representing the party in any council activities.

The disputed foreword read in part: “In line with the aspirations of the new administration under President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, this plan is aligned with Namibia’s sixth National Development Plan (NDP6), the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the Decentralisation Policy, and the Swapo Party Manifesto Implementation Plan.”

Donatus, however, said the restraint has nothing to do with the foreword, describing it as a witch-hunt against him since he took over from councillor Benitha Imamba as chairperson of the Erongo Regional Council in April.

“People have been coming up with all sorts of corruption claims to tarnish my name since I became the chairperson,” he told New Era.

Imamba, who was ousted after Walvis Bay Urban constituency councillor Deriou Benson tabled a vote of no confidence against her, later won a High Court challenge. Despite this, the council defied the order, with IPC councillors voting for Donatus to remain chairperson.

Meanwhile, the council is investigating a case of fraud involving unauthorised expenditure of more than N$100 000 at Metro Mega Swakopmund. Although not directly implicated, Donatus insists the allegations are politically motivated.

“It’s a decision to allow the investigation to happen without hindrance. But nobody has said it’s me. Council didn’t say it’s me,” he said, adding the claims stemmed from a petition by 11 community members.

A scheduled regional council meeting on Friday was called off after some councillors refused to attend, citing the ongoing legal dispute. -edeklerk@nepc.com.na